"It Was a Very Good Year . . . "

Another one gone by. I am looking forward to it being over. This year had one too many kicks in the teeth, right up to today, and I'm ready for it to be done.

A musical I know asks, "How do you measure a year?" If a year is measured in how much you stretched yourself, how much you felt, how much you loved . . . then it's been a very good year. It had a great start. It had some amazing times. It brought a few changes; some welcome, some not. And I can honestly say that the changes have made me stronger, more in touch with myself, and more aware in general. I've felt a million emotions very deeply; I cried, I laughed, I raged, I simmered, I loved, I loathed, I played, I played it safe. I fell off a wagon and climbed on another. There were firsts and lasts.

My, what a year can bring.

My new year's resolutions? Pretty simple.

• GET NEW ASSIGNMENT AT WORK. Escape the clutches of evil and drama. Be free! But in the meantime . . .
• Survive remaining months in office by taking as much time off and training as possible.
• Avoid stabbing coworkers in face.
• Get rid of people I honestly don't like that are cluttering up my life.
• Keep up workout regiment.
• VEGAS!

And most importantly . . . keep my soul intact. Keep my heart safe and strong, keep my love ready to give, keep the smiling little girl inside as the guiding force on how I see the world. I won't give in to a world that is trying to suffocate the good and break me down.

Happy 2009, folks! I wish you the best this year and always.